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Method and apparatus for provisioning media content in a multi-user environment

Method and apparatus for provisioning media content in a multi-user environment description/claims

The present disclosure relates generally to provisioning techniques in communication systems and more specifically to a method and apparatus for provisioning media content in a multi-user environment.

Deployment of Set-Top Boxes (STBs) in residences and commercial enterprises enables presentation of media services on one or more media devices such as a plasma TV or a desktop computer. Although STBs allow for various types of content to be delivered to the residences and commercial enterprises, the entirety of the content is directed to the household or enterprise. In a multi-user setting in which an STB is shared by multiple parties, it may not always be desirable to share content and/or services equally.

A need therefore arises for a method for provisioning a set-top box for use in a multi-user environment.

FIG. 1 depicts an exemplary embodiment of a communication system;

FIG. 2 depicts an exemplary method operating in the communication system;

FIG. 3 depicts a multi-user environment of a set-top box (STB);

FIGS. 4-10 depict exemplary embodiments for provisioning the STB;

FIG. 11 depicts an exemplary method for managing a delivery of media content in the multi-user environment of the STB;

FIG. 12 depicts an exemplary method for email messaging in the multi-user environment of the STB;

FIG. 13 depicts an exemplary method for voicemail messaging in the multi-user environment of the STB; and

FIG. 14 depicts an exemplary diagrammatic representation of a machine in the form of a computer system within which a set of instructions, when executed, may cause the machine to perform any one or more of the methodologies disclosed herein.

Embodiments in accordance with the present disclosure provide a method and apparatus for provisioning media content in a multi-user environment.

In a first embodiment of the present disclosure, a computer-readable storage medium in a Set-Top Box (STB), can have computer instructions for receiving multimedia content from one or more broadband providers; configuring individual access to the multimedia content among a group of users based on access settings of individual user accounts, wherein each of the individual user accounts has a separate service package provided by the one or more broadband providers, and wherein the access settings are managed by a primary member of the group; and provisioning the multimedia content in accordance with the access settings.

• Provisional Patent
• Utility Patent

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